I ALWAYS like a purpose to a walk and the reservoir high on Keighley Moor looked a suitably peaceful spot. The walk is not long and on a breezy autumnal day certainly blows the cobwebs awy..

300 metres west of the Grouse Inn there is parking on the high road heading west from Oakworth. Join the Millennium Way just to your north and climb up the farm track to Harehill House. The Bradford Millennium Way (to differentiate it from others in different parts of the country) is waymarked with yellow or blue discs and is a lovely circular route of 45 miles. Pass alog the east side of the farm and alongside the next field wall till the path turns 90 degrees west at the next stile. You are now on the open moorland. Stick with the wall on the left for ½ a mile before taking the path heading just north of west gradually up hill.

The path soon arrives at the south end of Keighley Moor Reservoir at the dam. The reservoir is one of many in the area, the landscape with its deep v shaped valleys perfect for capturing a large amount of water in the smallest area. However they tend to be very deep. The reservoirs largely serve Keighley and the area towards Bradford. I find Keighley Moor Reservoir a particularly fine spot, exceptionally peaceful with the peace only disturbed by a kestrel dive bombing an unsuspecting mouse or vole. (I think!). The route takes you straight across the dam wall but on the far side wander to your left and enjoy the moors.

From the north end of the dam take the water board road/track east past the gamekeepers lodge at Higher Intake to the bridge at Morkin Bridge. There is a pretty waterfall a few metres to your left. However the route turns right along the quiet road and climbs steadily (initially steeply!) for 1 mile until a cross roads is met. Turn right off the road on to Broad Head Lane. 100 metres beyond Broadhead Farm (a landscape gardening specialist) take the rougher lane to your left and carry on south.

Where the lane bends to the left it is possible to cut the corner and take a direct footpath to your start but I preferred following the lane and soon arrived at the woodland of Tewitt Hall. Before arriving at the hall look behind and to the north where there are lovely long distance views towards the Dales. Turn right at the foot of Tewitt Hall’s lane and enjoy the views the other way, into the bleaker but exciting Bronte Moors. Just before reaching the main road there is a very small, very moving memorial to 6 Canadian airmen who died on a training flight on Tewitt Lane in 1944. On reaching the main road the car will only be 300 metres away but the very tempting Grouse Inn lies in wait before you get there.

n Jonathan Smith runs Where2walk, an outdoor business in the Yorkshire Dales. He has written his own book, the Dales 30, which describes the highest mountains in the Dales. He also runs one-day navigation courses for beginners and intermediates, and learn a skill, climb a hill weekends. To find out more details on any of the above and details of many more walks in the area visit where2walk. co.uk.

WALK FACTS

Distance: Roughly 6 miles

Height to Climb: 210m (690 feet)

Start: SE 007382. Head west from Oakworth there is parking just past the Grouse Inn.

Difficulty: Mix of road, lanes and good moorland path. Some uphill sections.

Refreshments: The Grouse Inn lies very close to the start and finish of the route.

Be Prepared: The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer OL21) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass. You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk.

Please observe the Countryside Code and park sensibly.